GWEN: "It just doesn't happen to crazy people; it happens to everyone."
SAVA: Two-years
SAVA services: Group and individual therapy
Survived: Incest and date rape
SAVA services: Group and individual therapy
Survived: Incest and date rape
The tip of the iceberg: Depths of sexual assaultAbove sea level, icebergs appear almost dismissible. But anyone who has seen “Titanic” knows the real bulk of the bergs is underneath their chilling waves.
Like an iceberg, sexual assault’s spread is also deceiving from the surface. Gwen is a survivor of incest as well as date rape and receives therapy at the SAVA center in Fort Collins, Colo. “My assaults, plural, happened at night, when I was a child, in my bed,” she said. |
The effects have been damaging and persistent for decades.
Gwen struggles sleeping.
Prior to coming to SAVA two years ago, Gwen suffered from severe headaches caused from grinding her teeth at night; eventually her molars were removed because they too far gone to repair.
Gwen also curled up her body so intensely that she was prescribed muscle relaxers in addition to sleeping pills.
“Part of the healing process was saying, ‘Hey, I need help with this.’ It’s causing me all these health issues,” Gwen said.
Now Gwen is going on her third month off sleep medications.
Gwen wants women in their 30s and 40s to know, “They’re not alone.”
The SAVA center assists survivors to overcome their assaults, perpetrators, memories and the common snowball of physical, mental and emotional side effects that may follow a sexual assault.
“It’s easy for women to minimize it, especially single assault victims,” Gwen said.
Regardless what action a survivor pursues, SAVA provides a confidential place and understanding people who can help them heal and feel like themselves again.
Gwen partakes in group therapy sessions at SAVA.
“I’ve met a lot of amazing women,” she said.
Fifty-four percent of rapes are not reported and only 3 percent of rapists will serve time in jail, according to the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network. That is the just tip of the iceberg.
“It’s so hush-hush,” Gwen said.
The lack of public understanding on sexual assault frustrates Gwen and many others. She speaks about her experience with the hope to propel sexual assault awareness to the surface.
“How many people know that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?” Gwen said. “It needs to be talked about more.”
Gwen struggles sleeping.
Prior to coming to SAVA two years ago, Gwen suffered from severe headaches caused from grinding her teeth at night; eventually her molars were removed because they too far gone to repair.
Gwen also curled up her body so intensely that she was prescribed muscle relaxers in addition to sleeping pills.
“Part of the healing process was saying, ‘Hey, I need help with this.’ It’s causing me all these health issues,” Gwen said.
Now Gwen is going on her third month off sleep medications.
Gwen wants women in their 30s and 40s to know, “They’re not alone.”
The SAVA center assists survivors to overcome their assaults, perpetrators, memories and the common snowball of physical, mental and emotional side effects that may follow a sexual assault.
“It’s easy for women to minimize it, especially single assault victims,” Gwen said.
Regardless what action a survivor pursues, SAVA provides a confidential place and understanding people who can help them heal and feel like themselves again.
Gwen partakes in group therapy sessions at SAVA.
“I’ve met a lot of amazing women,” she said.
Fifty-four percent of rapes are not reported and only 3 percent of rapists will serve time in jail, according to the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network. That is the just tip of the iceberg.
“It’s so hush-hush,” Gwen said.
The lack of public understanding on sexual assault frustrates Gwen and many others. She speaks about her experience with the hope to propel sexual assault awareness to the surface.
“How many people know that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?” Gwen said. “It needs to be talked about more.”
Video and Story By AMANDA PRESLEY
Published: April 16, 2013
Thank you Gwen for your strength and inspiration to others and myself by sharing your story. I am very grateful I was able to work on this project.
Published: April 16, 2013
Thank you Gwen for your strength and inspiration to others and myself by sharing your story. I am very grateful I was able to work on this project.